Surgical clamp



Dec. 11, 1934.

F. w, DAVIS SURGTCAII CLAMP Filed July 29, 1935 INVENTQR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 11, 1934 UNITED STATES SURGICALrGLAMP Frederick W. Davis,Dayton, Qhio, assignor to The Umbiliklamp Companyf Dayton, ,Qhio, .'a

corporation of Ohio Application July 29, 1933, SeriaDNo. 532,810

10 Claims.

This invention relates to surgical clamps and, in particular, to thattype of surgical-clamp'used to clamp the umbilical cord of an infant atbirth.

An object .of my invention is to provide a surgical clamp havingadjustable parts and I holding jaws.

Another object is .to provide such a clamp which is particularly usefulas an umbilical clamp having adjustable jaws adapting the clamp todiiierent sizesof cords.

.Another object is to provide such a clamp .of such construction as tobe readily-attachable supporting function against the abdomen of theinfant.

Another object is to provide such a clamp which requires but one hand ofthe operator for its manipulation.

Another object is to provide such a clamp which is free from springsand'fiexible loading devices, yet which has positive locking meansincorporated therewith.

Another object is to provide such a clamp which is complete in itselfand which requires no additional tools or accessories for itsapplication.

Another object is to provide such a clamp which may be made of materialswhich are noncorrosive, of long life, non-yielding and free from thedanger of harboringbacteria.

Another object is to provide such 'a clamp having jaws adapted to hold abandageor pad for general surgical uses as well as for obstetricalpurposes.

Figure .7 is .a similar plan view .of the .other and .:.cooperating .arm:of .the clamp.

Figure .8' -is a side elevation of the clamp portion shown=in Eigurexfi,viewedfrom the directionof :thelinezB-eS in Figurefi.

Figure .9 is .a @front view of .an approximately actual sizegshowing theclamp as appliedto an umbilical .cord;

L-Figure 10 is va .side elevation of the clamp shown in aFigureJQ, .butwith the outer surfaces fiat insteadotconvexed.

Referring to -:-the drawing .in .detail, .Figure .1

shows the 'clampcof .;my inventionzin .-its open position. flheclamp.is;composed of a pair of arms 1 .and 22' respectively, .having:projecting ears .3 :and 4 adaptedz-to inter-engage oneanother through;the agency .of .a rivet 15 .in a hole i6, ,passing throughuboth ears.The outwardly facing end of each'hole 6 is .provided with aflared-portion '7 ;adapted .to receive the correspondinglyflaredportion'of the rivet 5 and thus countersink .the .opposite headsof thelatter so that no portion thereof projects to any greatextentiaboveztheisurriounding portions of the ears i3 and.=4.

LFrom 'Figur.e-,.8, it willbe seen that the ear 3 of Jthecla'mparm .1 isarranged to one side of :the center plane of the clamp,.sothat thisplanesubstantially coincides .withzthedower surface 8 0f :the .ear13. z-Th'e'ear.4 of ;-the clamparm 2is arranged .on -'.:the vopposite-side of thecenter plane :of the .:.clamp, .50 that its upper surface 19 xseenin:Figure S7 :likewise substantially coin- .cides .with this .plane.and.consequently engages theopposing face 8zofthe clamp arm 1 when the twoarms are assembled.

The clamp arms .1 .and 2 areuapproximately crescent-shaped. The inner.mid-portions -10 and 11 :thereof are provided with corrugations 12(Figures {5 Hand 18) .adapted to hold firmly :thearticle ormemberzwhichthe arms 1 and 2 .clamp between themselves. In their preferable form,these-corrugations 12 consist ofa plurality.of projections -I 1 3 neareach-edge and a depression'l4 running alongthe center lines. It will be.understood, however, that such corrugations may be varied in many :wayswithout departing from the spirit of my invention, since many formsofcorrugation will provide the tenacious gripping. effect desired.

.The .ends 15 and 16 oftheclamparms 1 and 2 opposite the:-iearsz3 rand4-thereof are likewise arranged .oneachrside of the central plane of theclamp so thatltheirinner surfaces 17 and 18. are substantiallycoincident with that-plane.

The inner surfaces 17' and 18 are provided with serrations 19 and 20adapted to inter-engage with one another and hold the clamp arms in anydesired position. In this way the size of the opening between themid-portions 10 and 11 may be readily varied to suit the particularconditions encountered. Although the serrations 19 and 20 firmly holdthe arms in their clamped positions (Figures 2, 4 and 9), they may beinstantly disengaged and re-adjusted to a new position. These serrations19 and 20 preferably comprise alternate ridges and grooves, these beingmost suitably directed toward the center axis of the rivet hole 6.

These ridges and grooves are preferably ar-v ranged to have a ratcheteffect (Figure 4) so that they slide readily past one another in onedirection, as in closing the arms 1 and 2, but interlock with oneanother firmly against motion in the opposite direction-that of openingthe arms. The latter, however, may be readily opened by grasping thearms, one in each hand, forcing them away from one another, thus liftingthe serrations out of engagement with one another. In this position, thearms 1 and 2 may be moved open. On releasing the arms, the naturalspring of the clamp will cause the serrations to re-engage one another.To close the clamp, however, the latter may be held in the fingers ofone hand and the two arms moved toward one another by the mere pressureof the fingers alone.

The outer surfaces 21 and 2-2 of the clamp are preferably slightlyconvex (Figure 5). It will be understood, however, that these surfacesmay be made flat without exceeding the scope of my invention, as shownat 23 and 24 in Figure 10.

In its preferred form, the clamp is arranged with the ears on theopposite sides of the central plane from the arms (Figure 8), althoughthese may be arranged on the same sides thereof without exceeding thescope of the invention.

In the use of my clamp for general medical and surgical purposes, abandage, a pad, or supporting member may be clamped between the clamparms 1 and 2 and locked firmly in place by the inter-engagement of theserrations thereon. A long portion of cloth such as gauze or flannel,for example, may be provided at one location with a pad of cotton, gauzeor other suitable material. The gauze may be then drawn backward toenclose the pad, the neck portion behind the latter being then grippedby the clamp, thus engaging the pad within the cloth band. The ends ofthe band may then be tied around the portion of the body to which thepad is to be applied, and the clamp then serves not only to hold the padbut also to provide a supporting backing for the pad.

In its use for obstetrical purposes, my clamp is first carefullysterilized, preferably in boiling water. The clamp is constructed ofmaterials which are not injured by high sterilization temperatures, andconsequently may be absolutely freed from any living bacteria whichmight otherwise escape the action of a sterilizing agent which was notso heated. This possibility of sterilization by heat is an importantfeature of my invention and renders its use free from the dangers ofinfection, which have previously accompanied the use of such clamps.

In actual use the arms of the sterilized clamp are separated, as shownin Figure 1. As soon as the infant is born, the open clamp is slippedquickly around the umbilical cord 25 (Figure 9) at a point adjacent theinfants abdomen. The arms are then forced tightly together so that themid-portions 1G and 11 of the clamp tightly constrict the cord and theinter-engaging serrations 19 and 20 firmly lock the arms in place. Theroughened compression surfaces 12 of the mid-portions 10 and 11 thenfirmly engage the cord 25, and constrict its two arteries 26 and 27 andits vein 28 so that no blood can escape therefrom. At the time of thisoperation or subsequently, a gauze pad may be placed between the clampand the skin of the abdomen.

The umbilical cord may now be severed in the usual way, but one suchseverance being necessary, since the cord is not threaded through theclamp. In this way any hemorrhage is prevented, which might occur duringsuch threading operations. It is preferable, however, to place a secondclamp around the cord, spaced apart from the first clamp, and to makethe severance between the two clamps. In this way hemorrhage from thecord is prevented in both directions, a matter which is important if thedelivery includes twin births. The projecting stump of the cord and theclamp may then be covered with a surgical dressing to protect the samefrom infection and to assist the early healing thereof. The usual bandis then placed around the infants abdomen.

With the use of my clamp in the above way, it is found that the stump ofthe cord separates in a very few days. Any tendency of the navel tobulge and any possibility of ahernia thereof is prevented by thesupporting action of the clamp, an action which is further assisted bythe convex surfaces of the clamp. After the clamp has been removed inthe healing of the navel, the clamp may be sewn in the abdomen band andin this way still performs its supporting function. A similar supportingfunction may be performed by a pad clamped between the arms of my clampin the manner previously described. In the above case, my clamp exerts acompressing or constricting action and simultaneously a supportingaction without producing any pull between the stump and the abdomen.This pull has a tendency to produce the hernia above referred to.

In the use of my clamp, there are no springs to fail, nothing corrosiveto injure the skin of the infant, and no external tools or accessoriesare required to engage or release it.

The clamp is of very simple construction and is easily made in largequantities at a low cost of production. The form of the clamp readilylends itself to production by die casting, thus further reducing thecost of manufacture.

It will be understood that the central opening between the arms of theclamp may be adjusted to any size encountered in practice. It is foundthat the sizes of cords vary between wide limits, the smallest beingthose of prematurely born infants. My clamp as readily adapts itself tosuccessful use with small cords as with large ones, and its constrictingand compressing function is not dependent upon the action of springs orresilient compressing materials, hence does not vary with the size ofthe cord being clamped. On the contrary, the constricting effectproduced by my clamp may be controlled by the physician, thesensitiveness of whose fingers will readily obtain the desiredcompressing effect.

It Will be understood that I desire to comprehend within my inventionsuch modifications as may be necessary to adapt it to varying conditionsand uses.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A surgical clamp comprising a pair of semicircular, overlapping andinterlocking arms pivotally engaging one another at one end thereof,said arms having inter-engaging serrated locking portions comprisingmultiple serrations on each arm at their opposite ends to lock said armsin position, said serrations being composed of alternate ridges andgrooves, said semi-circular arms forming an area between them in whichis located the material to be clamped, the outline of the area remainingthe same but varying in size longitudinally and iaterally, said outlinecomprising a pair of intersecting arcs defining a space of varying widthand length but having sides of constant curvature and the ends of thespace terminating in sharp points.

2. A surgical clamp comprising a pair of arms pivotally engaging oneanother at one end thereof, said arms having inter-engaging serratedlocking portions at their opposite ends, said serrations being composedof alternate ridges and grooves directed radially toward the axis ofsaid pivotal connection.

3. A surgical clamp comprising a pair of semicircular, overlapping andinterlockinlg arms pivotally engaging one another at one end thereof,said arms having inter-engaging locking portions comprising multipleserrations on each arm at their opposite ends to lock said arms inposition and roughened compression surfaces along their mid-portions,said semi-circular arms forming an area between them in which is locatedthe material to be clamped, the outline of the area remaining the samebut varying in size longitudinally and laterally, said outlinecomprising a pair of intersecting arcs defining a space of varying widthand length but having sides of constant curvature and the ends of thespace terminating in sharp points.

4. A surgical clamp comprising a pair of arms pivotally engaging oneanother at one end thereof, said arms having inter-engaging lockingportions at their opposite ends and roughened compression surfaces alongtheir mid-portions, said roughened compression surfaces being arrangedalong arcuate facing edge portions of said clamp.

5. A surgical clamp comprising a pair of arms pivotally engaging oneanother at one end thereof, said arms having inter-engaging lockingportions at their opposite ends and roughened compression surfaces alongtheir mid-portions, said roughened compression surfaces being arrangedalong arcuate facing edge portions of said clamp and comprisingalternate projections and depressions.

6. A surgical clamp comprising a pair of semicircular, overlapping andinterlocking arms pivotally engaging one another at one end thereof,said arms having inter-engaging locking portions comprising multipleserrations on each arm at their opposite ends to lock said arms inposition and roughened compression surfaces along their mid-portions,said roughened compression surfaces comprising alternate projections anddepressions, said semi-circular arms forming an area between them inwhich is located the material to be clamped, the outline of the arearemaining the same but varying in size longitudinally and laterally,said outline comprising a pair of intersecting arcs defining a space ofvarying width and length but having sides of constant curvature and theends of the space terminating in sharp points.

7. A surgical clamp comprising a pair of semicircular, overlapping andinterlocking arms pivotally engaging one another at one end thereof,said arms having inter-engaging locking portions comprising multipleserrations on each arm at their opposite ends to lock said arms inposition and roughened compression surfaces along their mid-portions,said roughened compression surfaces comprising alternate projections anddepressions arranged near the outer surfaces of said clamp, saidsemi-circular arms forming an area between them in which is located thematerial to be clamped, the outline of the area remaining the same butvarying in size longitudinally and laterally, said outline comprising apair of intersecting arcs defining a space of varying width and lengthbut having sides of constant curvature and the ends of the spaceterminating in sharp points.

8. A surgical clamp comprising a pair of arms pivotally engaging oneanother at one end thereof, said arms having inter-engaging lookingportions comprising multiple serrations on each arm at their oppositeends to lock said arms in position and roughened compression surfacesalong their mid-portions, said roughened compression surfaces comprisingalternate projections and depressions arranged near the outer surfacesof said clamp and having a longitudinal roughened portion therebetween.

9. A surgical clamp comprising a pair of semicircular, overlapping andinterlocking arms: pivotally engaging one another at one end thereof,said arms having inter-engaging serrated looking portions comprisingmultiple serrations on each arm at their opposite ends to lock said armsin position, said serrations being angled to provide a ratchet slippagein one direction and a ratchet locking in the opposite direction, saidsemi-circular arms forming an area between them in which is located thematerial to be clamped, the outline of the area remaining the same butvarying in size longitudinally and laterally, said outline comprising apair of intersecting arcs defining a space of varying width and lengthbut having sides of constant curvature and the ends of the spaceterminating in sharp points.

10. A surgical clamp comprising a pair of semi-circular, overlapping andinterlocking arms pivotally engaging one another at one end thereof,said arms having inter-engaging serrated locking portions comprisingmultiple serrations on each arm at their opposite ends to lock said armsin position, said serrations being composed of alternate ridges andgrooves so angled as to provide a ratchet slippage in one direction anda'ratchet locking in the opposite direction, said semi-circular armsforming an area between them in which is located the material to beclamped, the outline of the area remaining the same but varying in sizelongitudinally and laterally, said outline comprising a pair ofintersecting arcs defining a space of varying width and length buthaving sides of constant curvature and the ends of the space terminatingin sharp points.

FREDERICK W. DAVIS.

